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22 January 2013

Meeting with Mooku Podi Swami

Vishesh a reader of Arunachala Grace recently sent me an email about his meeting and experience with Mooku Podi Swami here at Arunachala. I am posting the narrative in full below. The accompanying photographs were taken by myself some time ago while Swami was residing near Pavarthi Hill.

“As you requested, I wanted to give my experience with Mooku Podi Swami. As I mentioned earlier, I live in the US and visited India on Vacation for three weeks. I got initiated into several Meditation techniques by Vethathiri Maharishi and then started to follow Sri Nithyananda Swami. There is a huge temple in the city where I live in the US. I did see some blog postings by you on Nithyananda Swami. I along with my wife, 10 year old son and my Father-in-law came to Tiruvannamalai on the evening of 5th January to be part of Nithyananda Swami's Birthday celebrations. I drove our car from Trichy and stayed in a hotel just outside of Arunachala temple. Because of worst traffic, I decided to take an auto rather than driving the car. That is when everything started.

The auto driver who took us to Nithyananda Swami's ashram on our route started to talk about Mooku Podi Swami (MPS) and suggested us to attempt to see him once before we leave. Initially that thought did not get into me strongly. He mentioned that MPS stays in hotel called Arpana which is where we planned to go for Dinner on the 5th. He himself asked Arpana hotel's watchman about MPS whereabouts. The watchman replied that MPS no more stays in that hotel and moved to a place near the Srinivasan school on the Girivalam path.

We had the dinner and then left to the hotel. I requested the auto driver to pick up again the next day to visit Nithyananda Swami's ashram. The next day on our way to the Ashram he stopped the auto at a place before to the Ashram and pointed out a old man and then said he is MPS. We just got out of the auto and stood on the other side of the road and paid our respects. I did not get any sort of opinions on MPS and prayed for his blessings. He had a look at our family and we felt really good about it. We had to leave to the Ashram as we had a Pada Puja scheduled with Nithyananda Swami.

After we had our time at the Ashram we came back to see him and could not find him. Then we went to Ramana Asramam and Visiri Samiyar Ashram and spend the whole day. The next day (7th January) we were planning to return back to Trichy and I started to have a very strong urge to meet MPS once more before I leave. So we checked out of our hotel and headed out on the Girivalam path by 7.30 am. To our surprise, MPS was sitting on the same spot (it was a Police booth). We parked the car on the road, left our sandals in the car and got out of the car and sat on a bench which was around 30 foot away from him. It would have been around 20 minutes we just sat and got his darshan. He started to walk around and then came and stood near our car. I turned to him in the sitting position and we were looking at him for blessings. I was praying inside to get me initiated into Atma Vidya (Ramana Maharishi's “Who Am I” self introspection). Other than that, I did not have any other feelings.

After seeing MPS standing near our car, the people around that place started to scream asking to open the car door as MPS wanted to sit inside. I immediately rushed and opened the door and requested him to sit in our car. He hesitated and did not sit. There was one small boy around (15 years old) and urged us to remove all the sandals out of the car. I removed everyone of them and then MPS came around and sat in the passenger side. I took my son and then sat in the car. He did not talk anything to me and used sign languages and gave me directions. I finally ended up in a hotel called Udupi.

He went inside and showed sign language to me to make the chair available for him to sit. I did it and then me and my son wanted to sit on the floor near his foot. He urged us to sit on the chair in the nearby table. After he had some Dosa and coffee and he left and we again headed out of the hotel. I wanted to go around girivalam (anticlockwise-as you had mentioned in one of your posting) and came to the same spot where we started. He wanted to stop and then he got down. The same small boy asked me to do namaskarams and touch his feet. I did and when I tried to touch his foot, he nodded his head and signalled me as not to touch. I obeyed his instructions and said good-bye. He gracefully nodded and gave me his send off. Then there were people around who came got his blessings.

Parvarthi Hill, off Girivalam Roadway

My wife after getting his blessings wanted to donate some money for Anna Dhaan at the Ragavendra Ashram. It was just across the road. After visiting Ragavendra Ashram, I had the feeling again to take a photo of him so that I can have in my Puja area for worship. We returned back to see him and he was not there. When I asked the people around that place they asked us to check at the Srinivasan school.

Girivalam Roadway where Swami stays

We went there and found him sitting at the hallway. I walked up to him and asked him if I can take a photo. He nodded his head stood up and walked out of the school straight to our car. So we had him seated again and this time all of our family sat inside. He again signalled me to go anticlockwise. I started to drive. We went two full rounds this time and Swami by then started to take a nap. During the middle of the third round, the police had put some barricade and blocked the road. Then he signalled to take a diversion and then we ended up to go clockwise again. When the car came near the school, he signalled to stop and got down. I once again asked if I could take a snap and he nodded no again. That was the end. He walked straight inside the school and I did my namaskarams again and headed out.

He was uttering two words again and again for 5 to 6 times: They were "ஆபிசு....ஆபீஸ்"”

58 comments:

I am sampath kumar from Coimbatore, South India. I used to meet Sami whenever I go to Tiruvanamalai. He is great enlightened soul and his blessings will definetely induces lot of progress in Spirituality to a greater extent. For futher details about Sami pl contact my Sudhakar, who is in process of compling a book about Sami. His mobile no 98422 13145

The name of the buk on MPS IS ' arunai vazh podi sittarin arpudangal' by s.a.vennila... It's a beautiful buk, must fr evry MPS devotees... Thr is also a mukku podi sittarin madam(ashram) opposite to vayu lingam on the giriwalam path... U can get the buks frm thr too..

On 17th jan.''14 while I was doing givalam by auto,driver stopped near a school, told me have mps darshan as HE was walking on the road. I went near by HE shouted.Ireturned back.I was told that I was blessed with HIS look.

That does happen quite often with him. Seshadri Swamigal was also very famous for shouting at people and throwing objects at them. However his reputation was such that if he threw anything, the devotee would immediately pick up the object, convinced that it would help with whatever trouble was in their life.

Mookku Podi Swamigal is becoming more and more famous in this area. So you were fortunate to have his unhindered darshan.

we should only feel him through fully on true love and trust on him .The lord how saved my life, his action and his personality will teach a lesson for our soul and us.By seeing an outer and physical appearance of him don't think that he is a normal human thats also one of the lesson for our trust on him that how much we trust in that appearance on him.

On 07.09.2014, by 06.45 Hrs, I started my Girivalam. I was wondering whether it is publicity stunt by some beggar. Then suddenly that person stood up and rushed to beat a person (he was holding a baby on his shoulder and seeking his blessings). Everyone run off. It walked back to the temple wielding the stick vigorously. Another person standing nearby said it is his kind punishment to ward of past evil doings. I could not laugh because of the humbleness shown by the people. Though run away, people started to follow It wherever It goes. After two minutes, It retuned back to the pillar and sat down. Now acted upon my sixth sense, I prayed to God and Ramana – If that is really a saint or siddhar, then I could possible communicate in spirit or telepathy. So I crossed the road, and from about 40 feet distance (to avoid any beating) watched Its side posture. Till this time, I did not see Its face. I kept my heart calm and didn’t think of anything. I didn’t offer any prayer to that. In fact I wanted as this my spiritual test and thought that if It is an enlightened person, It would give me a dharshan.After 2-4 minutes, It slowly turned and gave a sign (hand sign shooing away). I suspected whether it is for me or I have to go away. So I continued to stand there itself. Suddenly, It stood up again and moved away from me to the temple side. Abruptly It stopped and turned back. It saw people around in a half circular movement of its head (180 degree). Then It directly looked at me. Though there were people (on sideways), that look was directed to me. I could not believe myself. The distance was now about 50-60 feet, I was on Its direct vision line and no one stood in between. May be somebody was standing behind me and probably It could have watched him – was my thought.Slowly, It lifted its right hand and kept above his eyes as if seeing or identifying someone in distance standing in sunlight. Now I could experience that all the people were looking at me. It is a direct Dharshan. But foolishly, I was inactive. I could not bow my head or pranam as I tried to keep my mind silent. Then It moved towards me. Suddenly I feared that I have to move to avoid any beating. My eyes were moved with him. It halted five feet away from my left side and turned Its head and looked at me. It gave hand sign of waving or go away. Then It walked further without turning back. A woman with a son followed It. The person earlier answered me came and said that It blessed you. I asked for meaning of the hand sign. He replied that It indicates that there is no problem in your life and not that telling you to go away.Moved by Heart, I also followed It for about half a Kilometre. I wanted to offer my pranam and wanted to touch Its Feet. But It went straight into a school without turning back. Standing opposite to the school gate, I watched him till It moved away from my sight.But by recording this, I could compensate in a way so that someone may notice it or write it – in the way people now remembers Shridi Sai.

For the benefit of devotees, I wish to record the following events.I am happy that I had the dharshan and blessings of a Siddhar. But I also worried about the way he leads his life. While the so called saints and pseudo enlightened people are moving in luxury car and have all comforts, a real saint (you should watch his thejas - glowing face and powerful eyes in youtube released by one Shri Megaraj). May be penance requires no comfort. Now I grieve that I should have behaved well in front of MPS. But by recording this, I could compensate in a way so that someone may notice it or write it – in the way people now remembers Shridi Sai.

I am happy that I had the dharshan and blessings of a Siddhar. But I also worried about the way he leads his life. While the so called saints and pseudo enlightened people are moving in luxury car and have all comforts, a real saint (you should watch his thejas - glowing face and powerful eyes in youtube released by one Shri Megaraj). May be penance requires no comfort.

hi this is jithin from chennai ....if u have any stress in my pls go to thiruvanamalai and pray to god,see some ashrams like seshadri ashram,ramana ashram.stay there u will get peace .thanks jithin kumar.s

This is a fascinating post. Thanks for sharing. I hope that one day I can see him and have his Darshan. Is it possible that we can give him our pranaams during the upcoming deepam time, or does he like to just wander about spontaneously, even during festival times? I hope you don't mind if I share this picture of him on our little G+ group.It would be nice if you could join our little group too. Thanks : )

Currently Mookku Podi Swamigal spends much of the day at the Navagraha Shrine on the Girivalam Roadway (near Hanuman Temple). Most people just stand and watch him and wait to see how he reacts . . . as many are nervous of approaching as he sometimes shouts and waves his bamboo stick.

I have been taking his darshan for over 10 years and its interesting to see how more and more people are beginning to visit him.

Hi Meenakshi. There is also a facebook page on him which I found. But its in Tamil so I can't really understand what it says. Here is the link.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mooku-Podi-Siddhar/694670663945646

Personally I think its kind of weird to have a FB on him, because he is so simple and humble. But it would be valuable for us to get an idea about him nonetheless.

I will try visit him at the spot you mention when I am there next month. Although I expect that he might move elsewhere and desire some anonymity and peace during the massive deepam rush.

Actually meeting such Souls makes me nervous. There is a swami living at the Panch Mukhi Darshan spot. When I was last there, I gave pranaams to him during my girivalam. He looked at my face really deeply and then touched my arm, and gave me some advice in Tamil which I couldn't understand! I was quite nervous and freaked out although I knew he meant no harm! It was a case of fools rush in where angels fear to tread I guess! You have to approach these saints in a special way, which I clearly have not figured out yet!

Thanks for the link of the Facebook page. Nice photos and videos. A book has been written about MPS which so far I've been unable to obtain. But definitely will get it soon and then look forward to to getting information about his earlier life and what brought him to Arunachala.

Do try and get to see him when you next come . . . its very beneficial to take darshan of such a soul.

I just had a darshan of MPS this morning at Seshadri Ashram. He was having his breakfast sitting outside the mess at the ashram entrance and then he wandered off after looking at everyone gathered around.

On 24th January 2016, I was standing in the queue for Dharsan of Arunachaleswar, MPS came out from Temple after darshan with his followers. He was so simple I don't know who is he some people told in the line he is MPS.

Guys u all say i met him, he didn't speak anything. Then what did you get by meeting him ? Did your thoughts become purified for ever ? May be you would have felt blessed for few days, but then u r back to square one. Getting back to ur daily chores. So what was the use of meeting him ? He seems to have done nothing so far, so please don't create too much hype for nothing.. even am a spiritual person, but that doesn't mean just simply saying like i met him, took a photo with him etc.. what was the real changeover or use of meeting him ? Had any miracles happened ?

You could say the same thing about meeting any saint even ones like Sai Baba, Ramakrishna or Ramana Maharshi. Ultimately one has to walk the spiritual path alone. We go to saints and pilgrim places for inspiration, support and blessings to help us gain confidence and enthusiasm upon concentrating on our quest for God Realisation. Help from anyone on this quest is something to be grateful and thankful for.

Check out the link of a posting I made earlier of Swamiji at:http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2016/01/mookupodi-swamigal-location.html

He spends many hours each morning at the Navagraha Shrine on the Girivalam Roadway. Information and photo of Shrine in above link.

There is a chai stall near the Shrine where he takes tea and food and they will usually know his programme. Sometimes he spontaneously goes on girivalam in a devotee's vehicle. He also has devotees in Coimbatore and other spots, and sometimes he will just board their car and go off. However this happens rarely. He probably spends most of his time either at the Navagraha Shrine or nearby.

So head to that place first. Best to go there early in the morning for a good chance to see him.

Please read my comment, the one before yours on this page, talking about Mookupodi Swami's location. He spends most of the day at the Navagraha shrine on the Girivalam Roadway and you can see him there. However he is most often in silence so can't predict whether he will talk or respond to you. If Swami is absent you can also ask the people that have the chai stall next to the Navagraha Shrine. They will probably know where he is and when he will return to the Shrine. Hope it works out. Regards.

Hello every one,if you want to have the darshan of MPS. please visit the Hanuman temple near the high school on the girivalam path. Now a days he is staying there.Recently i had his darshan.Every day after the breakfast swamy will do girivalam in an auto in anticlock wise(Opposite to how we do) between 9am to 11am and rest at the hanuman temple.

Thanks for the update about Swamigal's present location. I also heard from others that he is now spending time at the Siddar Madam. Which is in fact a very unique madam that has a long history with a number of great Arunachala saints. Next month I hope to be uploading material on the mada veddhis (perimeter streets) surrounding Arunachaleswarar Temple on my website.

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org

In the narrative I will be posting photographs and a history of some of the buildings, madams, shrines and choultries that are stationed on the Temple perimeter streets: Car Street, Thiruvoodal Street, Pey Gopura Street and Big Street.

I had read your post and thought I should definitely look for this samiyar when im at Tiruvannamalai. This morning i saw him at Akash hotel. He was simply lying down at the reception floor area surrounded by few people. I felt quite nervous and i sat right opposite to him at a distance. He was doing a lot of hand gestures and i could clearly see him showing " V "using his fingers when i bowed down to him. I almost sat right in front of him and he was looking directly in to my eyes. For a while i couldn't believe he was actually looking at me. At some point i lowered my eyes out of respect or fear , i dont know. Its pretty hard to explain the feeling, i just couldnt meet his warm and comforting gaze. Also he was laughing and smiling and i felt he was asking with his hand gestures as to why i came here and said everything will be fine. Im really glad that i managed to have some precious moments with Mookupodi samiyar!

Glad you were able to meet Swami and able to derive benefit. Yes he has plenty of personal power and it can be uncomfortable under his gaze. But very nice you got personal attention and grace from him. Thats a great blessing.

On 27th May was the auspicious day of my life. I had the approtunity to meet and taking blessings from mooka pudi swamiji..Presently he is available in Aakash hotel lodging reception. This is opposite to tirumalia bus stand. Om Naama guruji!!

Namaskaram - all the hungry seeking i-thoughts determined by a notion of an imaginary self at center, and not one mention of what can be offered TO or what can be provided FOR Swamiji. the ego can not awaken, the i is imagined. Om Shanti - Go as Grace

Often people meeting a siddhar/saint/mystic think like this. It always used to amaze me that a person could meet Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Puttaparthi) and not be affected. But sometimes it happens like this. As to spiritual attainments, it says in the sastras that only an established Saint can recognise attainment in another.

There are numerous incidents of saints of behaving in unorthodox, and to us unbalanced ways. One of the greatest saints of Arunachala, Sri Seshadri Swamigal was one such being.

To many Mookupoodi Swami brings help and relief. Surely that in itself is a huge blessing.

Hi All, I'm from Chennai. I was going through a deep struggle and turnmoil due to my family breakup a couple of years ago. I came to Tiruvanamalai for girivalam on Jan 1st 2016 that time me & my father had a chance to meet MPS at Seshadrigal ashram. He was disturbed by one devotee and to our surprise he took the stick and beaten every one around him and we r one of the blessed souls. I felt my like janma karmas r washed away and spiritually heading towards good direction now also I got most awaited US opportunity on the same month. Certain things cannot be explained how & why it happened but every thing is Gods direction. Only belief answers all our questions. God is there in all beings in this universe. Om arunachala Sivaya namaha....

Happy that you had such a blessed, auspicious experience with MPS also that it happened in front of the samadhi of the great Saint Sri Seshadri Swamigal. That makes your experience even more sanctified.

Girivalam

January 2019 Pradosham

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